Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
- Blog
- Asia
- South Korea
-
Location Date Gwangju 
1362873600 Hwacheon-Gun 1358380800 Seogwipo-Si 1349218800 -
Location Date Sun, 10 March 2013 1362935868 Sun, 23 December 2012 1356225095 Wed, 14 November 2012 1352911321 Sun, 04 November 2012 1352044687 Thu, 18 October 2012 1350580774 Sat, 22 September 2012 1348319853 Sat, 15 September 2012 1347699399 Sun, 02 September 2012 1346599516 Tue, 21 August 2012 1345560744 Sat, 11 August 2012 1344679161 Sun, 29 July 2012 1343558532 Tue, 24 July 2012 1343139957 Sun, 15 July 2012 1342358617 Sat, 07 July 2012 1341646125 Fri, 29 June 2012 1340964941 Mon, 25 June 2012
1340634602
Greetings from South Korea!! I am officially writing to you from the Land of the Morning Calm, or so they say. I've yet to see this calm A.M. they speak of due to jetlag, stress over a new job, and a mattress that just doesn't hold up to the old memory-foam back home. But I will press on! I arrived very very late on Saturday night after 15 hours in the air, 4 more on a bus, and then a very scary late night cab ride with a man who knew absolutely NO English to reach my final destination.
And I simply cannot lie to the invisible blog reader that may accidentally and/or on purpose happen across this: that first night was a rough one. I was having all these second thoughts and thinking to myself, "What the hell was I thinkin?!" I signed up to live in this strange place, with this awful wallpaper coating every single surface, even the ceiling, for an entire year??!! (See photo for wallpaper explaination). I wallowed in self-pity for about another 24 hours, considered making a countdown calendar starting with 367 days to go, looked at some old pictures and got dangerously close to shedding a tear. But then I said, "No more!"
It is perhaps due to my first outing that this newly received dose of optimism arrived. After spending no less than 36 hours holed up in my apartment with no confidence, and more importantly, no food or drink, I forced myself to shower and exit the building. And to my delight, a mere block away was a very convenient convenience store, stocked with everything I could possibly need if only I understood Korean. I settled on the few familiar things I recognized--Pringles, and couple of bananas and Coke-- and decided to become more experiemental at a later time. At that point, I simply required nourishment.
A few other things that I can report on, now since my humor has returned and shushed up my self-conscious: my air-conditioner thingy that is in my apartment is quite the mystery. It has a remote, which is entirely labeled in Korean, so decifering what is cool or hot, up or down, off or on has all become a mystery to me. I just keep hitting buttons and alternating between hot as balls and cold as a witches tit.
I will also comment on the paper thin walls. I am praying that my neighbor is an American who really digs Springsteen, otherwise we are going to have some conversations about the volume and frequency of my music listening. If anyone next to, above, below, or across from me decides to shower, s***, cook, or launder, I will most likely know the intimate details of their experiences doing so.
I've only spent a little time at the school where I while be teaching, but so far it seems to be a very nice establisment. There are somewhere around 20 teachers running around, some of them Korean, some of them Canadian, some of the American, and one Englishman. It has been a very exciting day, without a doubt, but since all I did was sit and observe, I reserve work stories for a later date when they will undoubtly be much more enlightening and entertaining.
Loves,
Caitlin
- comments
Kinsey YAYYYYY CAILTIN! I am busting out laughing right now. I enjoy the humor. I am guessing that everyone in the world loves the Boss and therefore will not be a problem but more of a breaking of the ice kind of thing. When do you start teaching? P.S. I think the wall paper is bad ass and do not understand the dislike of such.
April A witch's tit?! I LOVE it. Quite funny Wilson. I'm sure the neighbours will be alright with a little, or let's be honest, a lot of Bruce. And I have faith that you could convince anyone to love him. That is quite an eclectic mix of nationalities. Sounds like it will be a ton of fun. I can't wait to hear about some crazy teaching stories!!
Sam So glad to hear that you made it safely and are keeping your chin up! Take it from me a year goes by in no time at all! I'm loving your blog and I hope you keep the stories coming! You should spend your free time deciphering the remote and make a manual for the next lonely American who resides in your current dwelling (you have some time)...lol. Love you lots!
Sandy Hi Kiddo - loved your blog - I will share it with NSF - they're all asking about you. Miss you - take care!!
Kerry So glad you made it! Lets start by saying that I agree with our sister that the wallpaper is awesome. Maybe you could find some Bruce in Korean? This way you can bond through the paper thin, multicolored walls. Miss you lots and Dan and I look forward to reading your rather hysterical and informative blog.
Mum!! I'd say you mastered the initial culture thing quite quickly! Collin thought the same thing when he arrived in San Antonio - albeit it was boot camp. At least the wallpaper is bright and not orange and brown. Let the Englishman know you are part British and as such he owes you an extra dose of respect and camaraderie. You need a good friend right off the bat. Look forward to reading about your journey and the people you meet. Can't wait til you start doing a little traveling too!!! Love ya lots.
Tandem I'm so glad your there and safe and settled in. I wouldn't worry about the music, everyone should be happy the they will be enlightened.
Karen Hi Caitlin, very amusing! If you bump into a lady named Naomi Lee, tell her you're my niece. She's American too and I think she's been there for a couple of months. Of course, she could be on the other side of the country:) Hang in there. You can do this:)
Your Old Man Nice start to your journey - had a good laugh or six - check out Backstreets.com - Boss doing Twist and Shout at the Isle of Wright - keep updating your Blog although the balls and witches tit t***?) was a bit much for Grandma. Someday we'll look back on this and it will all seem funny - name it
Collin What's up Caitlin nice to hear you are ok I was going to post on your wall but decided it would be better to just look at this. Also, after living with you for years, I pity your neighbors for having to listen to your music turned up to eleven when you shower. ARE YOU DEAF???